A few months ago a strange asteroid got caught in your planet's orbit. It was smaller than the moon and seemed to glow an array of colors at night, even when the sun couldn't peek at it.

         You were part of the exploration team that was sent to check it out. In the asteroid were an all manners of glowing sphere like rocks. Some big, some small, and all different colors. It was really beautiful in a way. And as you picked up a grey sphere and held it in your hands, you knew there was something special about them as the sphere's glow seemed to breathe.

          Your team took many of the visible spheres back so the scientists could look at them. It was found the rocks held a power you could only describe as magic. Eventually the rocks- now referred to as 'mana cores' were placed into android soldiers. Their task was to help your explorations tame the wilds just outside the city walls. They were so strong and useful, their creators began to give them human like shells. Each as unique as their core.

           You had been partnered up with an android named William. He was strong, trees in the area would bend at his will. He could even make a great tree grow from thin air. The branches of which you now traversed as your scanner etched the forests below into a map.

            "Seems some of the androids have gone rogue William… Are you thinking about leaving as well?" You peer at him carefully as he stops.

            "What a random inquiry ___." He comments, purple eyes locking with yours. "Your heartbeat has been reading you were uneasy about something. Is this the cause?"

            "Maybe." You tilt your head watching him.

            "I see…" He looks out at the wilds and pauses. "___." The tone of his voice changed suddenly and made your heart drop just before a fireball comes out of the trees below, heading straight for you.

             'The rogues…' You realize, freezing up. You were still wary William which made your mind panic at the possibilities briefly. A large branch suddenly sprouts below, shielding you from the blast. Another branch wraps around your waist, picking you and moving you toward the top of the tree.

            "Wait. William!" You call struggling. He looks back at you as the rogues fly out of the tree tops below. No, he shouldn't fight alone. Your struggles did nothing though. You were placed on the top and had to climb back down to the lower branches. By the time you got there, the androids were gone…

            A Year Later

            "And last is… ___." Colonel Derks looks up from the tablet at you. The rest of the trainees look to you, some sneering quietly. The loss of William- one of the strongest androids, had gotten you ridiculed and demoted- no, not just demoted, you were sent back down to the bottom. You had to re-enlist and start over completely. Your former peers now regarded you like someone who had just pushed over a precious glass experiment like a dumbass….

           <i>As if any of you could've stopped it…</i>

           "Better make sure you give her one with a small core." One of the girls giggle, sneering lightly. You silently count to ten as you approach the platform.

           "I got just the one for you ___." Derks says tapping on the tablet. The platform disappears briefly before bringing up an android much different from any of the others you had seen before. "This is Zora Ideale. Good luck."

            You peer at the smirking colonel before stepping forward and looking over the android. "I'm ___. Respond." You tell the android. Silence. "... I am ___. Respond Zora." You repeat more clearly. Still his eyes remain shut, making you shift. Was he not functioning properly? One more time. "Zora, respo-"

             "And why should I do that?" A voice sounds from the android as his blue eyes open up, meeting yours with challenge. You blink in surprise, straightening a bit as he leans forward, face inches from yours. "Do you think you own me or something, human?"

             "Uh… No." You answer, taken aback by his attitude. Around you the newbies snicker amongst themselves. Your eyes narrow briefly, their silent taunts ringing in your ears.

             "Alright, go get linked up with your partners, report back tomorrow for your first exploration." Derks orders before starting off. You toss a glare at his back. Why the hell did he stick you with an obvious flight risk?

              "I wouldn't bother if I were you ___, its clear this one isn't going to last long with you either." Nizia taunts coming over with her android, a few others. You sigh quietly before looking at her. "But maybe you like to be a let down to everyone-" There's a crack as your fist connects with her nose. She cries out holding her face.

           "Report me if you want. But you're a Scouter now, so they'll just tell you not to be a bitch." You hum as you start off. "Come on Zora. You don't want to be stuck with them." You add.

           "Well you're not wrong. They look like a pathetic little pack." He follows along. You guide him to the pairing building.

           "Oh, ___, I've been waiting." Your old friend greets.

           "Hey Jiminy, finally got back to the Scouting part." You smile a bit.

           "I knew you would, you always did like being out there…. Couldn't believe they did that to you though… That was a strong android, you didn't stand much of a chance to begin with." He frowns briefly before looking to Zora and straightening. "... Oh no…" He frowns.

            "Ah, Jiminy, I kept a gift for you." Zora greets, flicking a bug onto the man. Jiminy hurriedly stands, seeming frantic for a moment until his face scrunches up, letting out a disgusted grunt while your Android partner hums quietly. You blink in confusion until something flies onto your shoulder. You pause, looking at it before covering your nose and mouth, recognizing the stink bug.

             "Why?" You look at Zora in question. He doesn't respond, collecting the beetle and looking away.

             "This is your new partner?" Jiminy guesses lightly, looking between you and Zora. You nod, and he sighs rubbing his cheek. "Alright Zora, get to the chair." He breathes. The android goes past, going to a separate room. "His last partner turned him in, both with of them were injured badly. I think they might have got in a fight in the wilds… He was labeled a flight risk, so I don't know why they would partner him so soon…"

              "Feels like someone is out to get me.." You sigh before going into the room where Zora had disappeared. You sit in the chair across from the android, putting your arm in a metal sleeve. You meet the android's blue gaze and pause.

              "Hey… Don't think we'll be chummy or anything just because we're 'partners'." He tells you.

              "Think you've made that clear." You respond. He sure was blunt, and outspoken. Somehow it was relaxing, William had been quiet mostly and hard to read- not that this one was any easier to read. There's a sudden pain in your arm and you stiffen glancing at the metal sleeve.

               "There, pairing chips are in. Sorry. You know I hate countdowns." Jiminy hums making you both look over at him.

               "Saves time…" You hum, removing your arm and looking at the brand the chip left. You run your fingers over it and sigh quietly. "Alright. Lets go." You get up, rubbing your arm.

              "Nah.." Zora hums relaxing in the chair. You stop and look at him before you and Jiminy look at eachother.

              "... Good luck." Jiminy smiles before heading out. You deadpan after him before going to Zora. He was determined to be difficult. Unlucky for him, you were just as stubborn.

             "Alright. You wanna hang out here. Lets hang out." You fake a smile leaning on his shoulder. His eyes narrow at you, and he places a stink bug on your arm.

            "Sure, you, me, and my rainbow beetle." He smirks.

            "... Great."